New & some success

[wedjbai.livejournal.com]

Hello. I've just joined this community, as I'm looking for alternative ways to manage my health without the use of prescription drugs. And, on my own, I've already had a small success...

I recently had to stop taking amitriptyline for my fibromyalgia symptoms and to help me sleep. I've been having trouble with my heart - it would start racing and I'd feel hot and sweaty and out of breath. My pulse went from a low-normal resting rate to 120 beats per minute or more. My Mom was also taking it and she noticed the same thing - apparently it's a sodium-based drug. We're both off of it now.

I experienced more bad side effects than good with this drug - weight gain, cravings for sweets, restless leg syndrome, and now this. I have low blood pressure, so no one was concerned at what this drug might do to my cardiovascular system. I've done some reading and found that it's acutally a cardiotoxin.

I have an ultrasound and an echocardiogram scheduled on Dec. 4th to rule out any physical problems. There is a change I may have mitral valve prolapse.

When I stopped taking amitriptyline I was unable to sleep for more than 90 minutes at a time, and it would take me over two hours to get back to sleep. I finally bought a mix of valerian, hops, and passionflower on the weekend and started taking it, along with a mug or two of organic chamomile tea at night.

Last night for the first time in weeks I sleep through the night and woke up refreshed, without the "drug hangover" feeling that I sometimes had.

Now that I've seen what a difference this has made, I'm going to book an appointment with a herbal doctor to see what else I can take to improve my health. Luckily, my medical doctor is quite open to me trying alternative therapies, and has suggested some places for me to try. The first place I'm going to go to is Gaia Garden Herbal Dispensary.

I've always been somewhat skeptical of "natural remedies", but no longer.

Comments

[kiya]

Coolness!

I don't have your particular medical conditions, but I started doing something similar -- normal Western medicine wasn't handling a few recurring problems of mine well, so I started doing dietary changes and tinkering with herbal stuff to see if I could handle them.

My latest wonder drug is apple cider vinegar. :}

[junimay.livejournal.com]

hi i am a massage therapist and have a few clients with fibromayalgia. they tell me that regular massage helps with the body pain. i hope you continue to have good luck.